2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 28 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve structure:body and suspension.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 28 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
STRUCTURE:BODY
8 28.6%
SUSPENSION
4 14.3%
AIR BAGS
3 10.7%
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 7.1%
STEERING
2 7.1%
Quick Insights
The top category is STRUCTURE:BODY, accounting for 28.6% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 13 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
Subscribe to Recall Alerts
Get notified when a new recall or important ownership update lands for the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Free alerts based on U.S. recall data. Unsubscribe anytime.
What owners keep reporting on the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser
The 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser has 28 owner complaints in this dataset. STRUCTURE:BODY is the most common complaint category, representing about 29% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser are STRUCTURE:BODY (8), SUSPENSION (4), AIR BAGS (3).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 13 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 13 of 13 systems
STRUCTURE:BODY
8 Reports29% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BUILD UP AMAZING AMOUNTS OF ICE. I SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM IT DOES THAT BECAUSE OF THE ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS HAVING TO PULL OVER AND STOP TO BREAK THE ICE OFF MY WIPERS BECAUSE THEY STOPPED CLEARING THE WINDSHIELD AND I WOULD LOOSE VISIBILITY. ALSO, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FJ CRUISER BUILDS UP AND COLLECTS ICE LIKE NOTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN. I AM A OVER THE ROAD TRUCK DRIVER AND HAVE DRIVEN IN ALL TYPES AND LEVELS OF BAD WEATHER, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ICE BUILD UP LIKE IT DOES ON THE FJ CRUISER.. THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE JUST BEEN A FLUKE BUT IT REPEATED THE ICE BUILD UP YESTERDAY WHEN IT SNOWED AGAIN. *TR
4/24/2013
FRAME RUST, REAR BUMPER RUSH, UNDER CARRIAGE RUST, FRONT LOWER A-ARM RUST, DIFFERENTIAL RUST.
8/22/2019
SUSPENSION
4 Reports14% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE HAS A SHIMMY OR SHAKING AS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH OR HIGHER. THIS SEEMS MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN DRIVING ON A CURVE THAN ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. HAVE HAD THE FRONT TIRES BALANCED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER 3 TIMES SO FAR, AND THE BALANCING IS SPOT ON (I WATCHED THEM BALANCE THEM), BUT SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL STILL CONTINUES. THE TIRES DID NOT TAKE EXCESSIVE WEIGHTS EITHER. I HAVE STOCK TRD WHEELS WITH BF GOODRICH 265-75/16 TIRES - WHICH CAME WITH THE 2013 TEAM TRAILS EDITION. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A TIRE BALANCING PROBLEM, BUT SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE STEERING OR SUSPENSION. *TR
4/19/2013
SEVERE RUST UNDER CARRIAGE INCLUDING FUEL TANK STRAPS AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. NUMBER IS RUSTED AND SKID PLATES. RUST BASICALLY COVERING UNDER VEHICLE. CONCERNED ABOUT INTEGRITY DURING A CRASH
9/3/2019
AIR BAGS
3 Reports11% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE OVERWEIGHT PASSENGER TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND CAUSED IT TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
9/26/2016
BROUGHT CAR INTO DEALER LAST MONTH FOR NEW HORN AS IT WAS A WEAK VOLUME AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MASSACHUSETTS. WAS REPLACED. WORKED FOR A WEEK OR TWO THEN CEASED TO COMPLETELY FUNCTION. BROUGHT BACK IN TODAY AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER CLOCK SPRING/SPIRAL CABLE WAS CORRODING. REMINDED OF OLD RECALL ON VARIOUS PAST TOYOTAS.
12/21/2020
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, SHE NOTICED THERE WAS A BLIND SPOT ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER ANOTHER LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 250. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
12/21/2012
WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW CONDITIONS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BUILD UP AMAZING AMOUNTS OF ICE. I SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM IT DOES THAT BECAUSE OF THE ANGLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. I WAS HAVING TO PULL OVER AND STOP TO BREAK THE ICE OFF MY WIPERS BECAUSE THEY STOPPED CLEARING THE WINDSHIELD AND I WOULD LOOSE VISIBILITY. ALSO, THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FJ CRUISER BUILDS UP AND COLLECTS ICE LIKE NOTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN. I AM A OVER THE ROAD TRUCK DRIVER AND HAVE DRIVEN IN ALL TYPES AND LEVELS OF BAD WEATHER, I HAVE NEVER SEEN ICE BUILD UP LIKE IT DOES ON THE FJ CRUISER.. THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE JUST BEEN A FLUKE BUT IT REPEATED THE ICE BUILD UP YESTERDAY WHEN IT SNOWED AGAIN. *TR
4/24/2013
STEERING
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE HAS A SHIMMY OR SHAKING AS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH OR HIGHER. THIS SEEMS MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN DRIVING ON A CURVE THAN ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. HAVE HAD THE FRONT TIRES BALANCED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER 3 TIMES SO FAR, AND THE BALANCING IS SPOT ON (I WATCHED THEM BALANCE THEM), BUT SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL STILL CONTINUES. THE TIRES DID NOT TAKE EXCESSIVE WEIGHTS EITHER. I HAVE STOCK TRD WHEELS WITH BF GOODRICH 265-75/16 TIRES - WHICH CAME WITH THE 2013 TEAM TRAILS EDITION. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A TIRE BALANCING PROBLEM, BUT SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE STEERING OR SUSPENSION. *TR
4/19/2013
IN THE 60-70 MPH RANGE THE STEERING WHEEL SHIMMIED BACK AND FORTH AS MUCH AS 1-2 INCHES. THE VEHICLE FEELS UNSTABLE IN THIS RANGE. *TR
9/21/2014
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Reports7% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I purchased a used Toyota FJ Cruiser in June 2019 with 25,441 miles on it from Luv Toyota in Lakewood, NY. The car was purchased sight unseen with cash from a Toyota dealership and shipped to me in Sugar Land, TX. When the vehicle arrived it was covered in frame and total underbody rust. The vehicle is completely unsafe to drive and I have driven it less than 1000 miles since it was purchased 2 years ago. After numerous attempts to receive a refund from Luv Toyota and Toyota Motors Corp I have given up. A 5 year old vehicle with less than 30,000 miles should not be completely rusted out. This is a complete fraudulent transaction. Toyota Corp does not stand by their vehicles or their franchise dealerships.
5/31/2021
Severe frame, structural and fuel tank strap rust.
8/14/2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
CPSC: I1330412A. 2013 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. CONSUMER STATED THAT RODENTS HAVE BEEN EATING THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD OF HER VEHICLE. *LN THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE WIRES WERE MADE WITH SOME TYPE OF SOY, THAT ATTRACTED THE RODENTS AND SO FAR IT HAS COST $800 IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS.
4/3/2013
WHEELS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
VEHICLE HAS A SHIMMY OR SHAKING AS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH OR HIGHER. THIS SEEMS MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN DRIVING ON A CURVE THAN ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY. HAVE HAD THE FRONT TIRES BALANCED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER 3 TIMES SO FAR, AND THE BALANCING IS SPOT ON (I WATCHED THEM BALANCE THEM), BUT SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL STILL CONTINUES. THE TIRES DID NOT TAKE EXCESSIVE WEIGHTS EITHER. I HAVE STOCK TRD WHEELS WITH BF GOODRICH 265-75/16 TIRES - WHICH CAME WITH THE 2013 TEAM TRAILS EDITION. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS A TIRE BALANCING PROBLEM, BUT SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE STEERING OR SUSPENSION. *TR
4/19/2013
SERVICE BRAKES
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
DECEMBER 17, 2014 I WAS ENROUTE TO WORK BETWEEN 9:00-9:30 AM. AND AS I AM DRIVING ALONG HUGHEY ROAD APPROACHING ROBINSON STREET A CROSS ROAD THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW, SO I APPLIED MY BRAKES WHILE GOING OVER THE RAIL ROAD TRACKS AND I LOSS MY BRAKES ENDING UP IN THE INTERSECTION AND MY FRONT END IN THE PEDESTRIAN WALK WAY NEARLY RUNNING OVER TWO PEDESTIRANS, THEY WERE SO CLOSE THEY COULD TOUCH MY TRUCK. IT WAS A THREE LANE ROAD AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE THE TWO OTHER CARS WERE ABLE TO STOP BUT I WASN'T AND KEPT GOING WITH MY FOOT PLANTED FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. I COULD FEEL THE GRINDING OF MY BRAKE PEDAL LIKE IT WAS A COMPUTER THINKING. I CALLED THE TOYOTA CUSTER CARE CENTER AND THEY GAVE ME A CASE #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
12/19/2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
SEVERE RUST UNDER CARRIAGE INCLUDING FUEL TANK STRAPS AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. NUMBER IS RUSTED AND SKID PLATES. RUST BASICALLY COVERING UNDER VEHICLE. CONCERNED ABOUT INTEGRITY DURING A CRASH
9/3/2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
BROUGHT CAR INTO DEALER LAST MONTH FOR NEW HORN AS IT WAS A WEAK VOLUME AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION IN MASSACHUSETTS. WAS REPLACED. WORKED FOR A WEEK OR TWO THEN CEASED TO COMPLETELY FUNCTION. BROUGHT BACK IN TODAY AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER CLOCK SPRING/SPIRAL CABLE WAS CORRODING. REMINDED OF OLD RECALL ON VARIOUS PAST TOYOTAS.
12/21/2020
POWER TRAIN
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
FROM ACCELERATION; BETWEEN 30MPH AND 45MPH MY VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND SHAKES. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND OR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY VEHICLE.
2/11/2021
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser. Upon having the vehicle inspected by a State Inspector, the contact was informed that there was significant corrosion on the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the corrosion failure was a result of normal wear and tear. The contact was referred to an independent mechanic who specialized in vehicle undercoating to prevent further corrosion damage to the vehicle. Despite the vehicle being treated for the corrosion damage, the contact was recently informed that the corrosion damage had worsened, and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
8/5/2024
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Are complaints about the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser?
Are complaints about the 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Toyota FJ Cruiser: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 28
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
We may earn a commission via links on this page.